Air compressor tripping circuit breaker
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Air compressor tripping circuit breaker
Which is bad, motor or pump? How can I tell?
I have been using a second-hand compressor on 15A 120V for more than a year. 25 gallon 1 HP. Recently, it started to trip circuit breaker. I installed a dedicated 12-3 with 20A circuit breaker. It still trips the CB.
I removed the belt and ran the motor. No problem. But when the belt was in, CB got tripped. I moved the pump wheel manually. I heard scraping sound with intermittent popping sound. Checked oil level. Removed pump head and verified oily film on cylinder wall.
How do you tell which is bad? I suppose the pistons have a wear ring. How do I check it? Worth repairing? Or buy a new pump?
Thank you.
I have been using a second-hand compressor on 15A 120V for more than a year. 25 gallon 1 HP. Recently, it started to trip circuit breaker. I installed a dedicated 12-3 with 20A circuit breaker. It still trips the CB.
I removed the belt and ran the motor. No problem. But when the belt was in, CB got tripped. I moved the pump wheel manually. I heard scraping sound with intermittent popping sound. Checked oil level. Removed pump head and verified oily film on cylinder wall.
How do you tell which is bad? I suppose the pistons have a wear ring. How do I check it? Worth repairing? Or buy a new pump?
Thank you.
#2
Member
Does it pop the breaker when it is just starting up or after it has run for a while? Does it pop it more often the longer you use it?
#3
Member
Thread Starter
With 14-3 and 15A, as soon as it started, it popped the breaker. With 12-3 and 20A, it runs 5 sec and pops the breaker. Since it pops every time, I cannot use the compressor.
Last edited by paker; 04-09-17 at 09:04 PM.
#4
Member
Thread Starter
Checked START and RUN capacitors. START is within range, but 40 uF RUN is measured as zero. I just ordered a new one online. Will see in a few days.
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Thank you for confirming that a shorted capacitor is the culprit.
I got mixed up between 12-2 and 12-3. Thank you for the correction.
I got mixed up between 12-2 and 12-3. Thank you for the correction.
#8
Member
Thread Starter
I put a new run capacitor. The air compressor is running well without tripping the breaker. T hank you.